SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH

MINUTES OF SCHOOL BOARD REGULAR MEETING

FEBRUARY 19, 2008

The School Board of the City of Virginia Beach held a regular meeting Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at the School Administration Building.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mr. Daniel D. “Dan” Edwards, Chairman
Ms. Rita Sweet Bellitto, Vice Chairman	Mr. Dan R. Lowe
Mr. Todd C. Davidson	Mr. Lyndon S. Remias
Ms. Emma L. “Em” Davis	Ms. Sandra Smith-Jones
Ms. Patricia G. Edmonson	Mr. Michael W. Stewart
Mr. Edward F. Fissinger, Sr.	Ms. Carolyn D. Weems

Dr. James G. Merrill, Superintendent

Members ABSENT: None

1. Convene School Board Informal Meeting:

Chairman Edwards convened the Board in the einstein.lab at 4:05 p.m. All Board members were present with the exception of Ms. Smith-Jones who arrived during the workshop at 4:44 p.m.; and Ms. Edmonson who was absent from the workshop but arrived prior to the formal meeting.

2. Workshop:

A. FY2008/09 & 2009/10 School Operating Biennial Budget and FY2008/09-2013/14 Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Superintendent Merrill and Mr. Farrell E. Hanzaker , Chief Financial Officer, gave a brief update on status of the state budget and advised of preliminary notice by the City that an approximate $3 million reduction in real estate taxes was possible, but a possible $1.8 – $2.0 million savings may be realized from a lower retirement rate. Mr. Hanzaker reiterated a conservative approach was taken in developing the budget knowing amounts may change. He reviewed processes already put into place in anticipation of reduced funding and noted any changes would require Board action to determine how additional funds will be used or to decide what may need to be cut. Discussion concluded at 4:52 p.m. and continued under Item 17.

B. Recommendations for Restructuring the Behind-the-Wheel Driver Education Program: Dr. Christine W. Caskey, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, reported the goals of the review of the Driver’s Education Behind-the-Wheel program were to meet the recommendations cited by the Office of Internal Audit, serve more students, provide a more equitable method of delivery, improve efficiencies, and remove additional administrative responsibilities from the high school. Ms. Brenda M. Fuller, Coordinator of Secondary Health and Physical Education, provided an overview of the current program, and Mr. Rodney J. Burnsworth, Director of the Secondary Instructional Services, reported advantages and limitations of three options. The administrative recommendation was to accept Option 3 for implementation in the start of the 2008-2009 school year which would outsource Behind-the-Wheel services to either one company, or pre-qualify multiple companies allowing parents and students to choose from an approved list, and provide students a voucher up to $150 to be used to offset the company cost.

C: Academy and Advanced Academic Programs Longitudinal Study Update: See Item 17

The workshop concluded at 5:35 p.m.

3. Closed Meeting: None

4. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Non-Agenda Items: The Board heard comments from Andrew Jackson regarding Goal 5 of the 2007-2008 Program of Work to improve the academic performance of African-American male students.

5. Formal Meeting Call to Order and Electronic Roll Call:

Chairman Edwards called the formal meeting to order in the School Board Room at 6:15 p.m. All Board members were present.

6. Student, Employee and Public Awards and Recognition:

A. Virginia State Champions – “We the People… The Citizen and the Constitution” Simulated Congressional Hearing: Postponed to a later date to be determined.

B. Outstanding Attendance – January 2008: The School Board recognized the following schools for having the highest percent of student attendance for the month of January 2008: Salem Elementary School with 97.09 percent, Kemps Landing Magnet School with 97.05 percent, and First Colonial High School with 96.57 percent.

C. Most Improved Attendance – January 2008: The School Board recognized the following schools for having the highest percent of most improved attendance for January 2008: Providence Elementary School with 1.53 percent; Virginia Beach Middle School with 1.21 percent; and Open Campus with 2.44 percent.

7. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Chairman Edwards conducted a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

8. Superintendent’s Report: In addition to recognizing the many awards, accomplishments, and heroic acts of students and staff, Superintendent Merrill reported on activities throughout the school division including those recognizing Black History Month, the 100th day of school for students, Virginia Beach Middle School groundbreaking, Custodial Appreciation Day, Grandparents’ Day, Latin Day, and dedication of a garage built by the Technical and Career Education Center for Hope Haven. He also brought to the Board’s attention additions to the Board Room consisting of comprehensive lists of School Board chairmen and superintendents dating from 1870. In closing, Superintendent Merrill recognized members of the School Board in acknowledgement of February being designated by Governor Kaine as School Board Appreciation Month in the Commonwealth and thanked them for their service to the community and the children of Virginia Beach. Additionally, in observance of the third week of February being designated VSBA School Board Clerk Appreciation Week; the clerk was presented with a token of appreciation and the following proclamation:

SCHOOL BOARD CLERK APPRECIATION WEEK

WHEREAS, the School Board Clerk in Virginia Beach is appointed by law to fulfill her duties and responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, the School Board Clerk is responsible for keeping accurate records of the meetings and proceedings of the school board and a record of all official acts; and

WHEREAS, the School Board Clerk performs such other duties in connection with the school business of Virginia Beach as may be required by the school board; and

WHEREAS, the School Board Clerk maintains frequent contact with the public, including parents, employees and the media, on behalf of the School Board and Superintendent; and

WHEREAS, the School Board Clerk, in the performance of her duties, is often required to work extra hours attending school board meetings; and

WHEREAS, the School Board Clerk joins with the School Board to help ensure that students achieve to their highest potential; and

WHEREAS, the School Board Clerk provides an invaluable service for the School Board and Superintendent; and

WHEREAS, school board clerks are indispensable in notifying and scheduling school board members for their training and development needs, the School Board of Virginia Beach does hereby recognize the third week of February as School Board Clerk Appreciation Week in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Now, therefore be it

RESOLVED: That at its meeting on the 19^th day of February, 2008, the Virginia Beach School Board also recognizes the third week of February as School Board Clerk Appreciation Week.

9. Public Hearing on the FY2008/09 & 2009/10 Superintendent’s Biennial Estimate of Needs and FY2008/09 – 2013/14 Capital Improvement Program: The following citizens and delegations addressed the Board on the FY2008/09 & 2009/10 Superintendent’s Biennial Estimate of Needs and FY2008/09 – 2013/14 Capital Improvement Program: Iva Nash, President of the Virginia Beach Education Association (VBEA), regarding the Association’s budgetary requests.

10. Hearing of Citizens and Delegations on Agenda Items: The Board heard comments from the following citizens and delegations on agenda items:

Teesha Sanders-Henderson, teacher at the Academy at Landstown High School, Lisa Hannah, Principal of Three Oaks Elementary School, and Goldie Pettaway, teacher at Brandon Middle School, in support of proposed restructuring of the summer school program; and

George Ontko, William King, Tim Wheelhouse, and Natalie Cassell, Driver’s Education Instructors, in opposition to outsourcing the Driver’s Education Behind-the-Wheel program.

11. Approval of Minutes:

A. February 5, 2008 Regular Meeting: Ms. Smith-Jones made a motion, seconded by Mr. Remias, that the Board approve the minutes of their February 5, 2008 regular meeting as presented. The motion was approved (ayes 10, nays 0, 1 abstention - Stewart). Mr. Stewart noted his abstention was due to his absence at the February 5 meeting to return from the National School Board Association (NSBA) Federal Relations Network (FRN) Conference in Washington, DC.

B. February 12, 2008 Budget Workshop: Mr. Stewart made a motion, seconded by Mr. Davidson, that the Board approve the minutes of their February 12, 2008 budget workshop as presented. The motion was unanimously approved.

12. Adoption of the Agenda: Prior to a motion, Chairman Edwards affirmed the continuation of workshops would be taken up under Item 17. Ms. Smith-Jones then made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stewart, that the Board adopt the agenda as presented. The motion was unanimously approved.

13. Consent Agenda: Mr. Lowe made a motion, seconded by Ms. Edmonson, that the Board approve the Consent Agenda. The motion was unanimously approved and the following items adopted as part of the Consent Agenda:

A. Resolutions:

1. March is Fine Arts In Our Schools Month as follows:

MARCH IS FINE ARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, fine arts programs in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools provide curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular experiences in art, dance, music, and theatre arts for all student members of the school community and for the Virginia Beach community at large; and

WHEREAS, the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach is cognizant of the importance of fine arts to all our students, not only while they are in school but also throughout their lives; and

WHEREAS, art, dance, music, and theatre arts are now and have been a vital part of the curriculum and instruction of the public schools of Virginia Beach; and

WHEREAS, the month of March has been designated as Music in Our Schools Month, Youth Art Month, and Theatre in the Schools Month by the national associations of the respective fine arts.

Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach recognizes the month of March 2008 as Fine Arts in Our Schools Month in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED: That the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach express its appreciation to our fine arts educators for enhancing our lives and the lives of our children through art, dance, music, and theatre arts; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread across the official minutes of this Board.

2. National Middle Level Education Month, March 2008 as follows:

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF MARCH 2008 AS

NATIONAL MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION MONTH

WHEREAS, middle level education has a special and unique function in the nation’s educational system; and

WHEREAS, young adolescents are undergoing dramatic physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth, and are especially vulnerable; and

WHEREAS, the habits and values established during early adolescence have critical, life-long influence; and

WHEREAS, this influence impacts directly on the future health and welfare of our nation; and

WHEREAS, an adequate public understanding of the distinctive mission of the middle level school is necessary for that mission to succeed.

Now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That the month of March 2008 be declared National Middle Level Education Month, and that the public be afforded special opportunities to visit middle level schools and participate in programs that focus on the nature of young adolescents and celebrate the ways in which our nation’s schools respond to their needs and to the needs of the nation.

B. Board Schedule: July 2008 – June 2009 as follows:

2008

2009

July 1^st

July 15^th

August 2-3 - Retreat

August 5^th

August 19^th

September 9^th (2nd Tues)

September 23^rd (4th Tues)

October 7^th

October 21^st

November 5^th (Wed.)

November 13^th – Full-Day Orientation

November 18^th

December 2^nd

December 9^th – Budget Process Orientation for Old/New Board

December 16^th

January 6^th – Organizational Meeting

Retreat Jan. xx-xx?? (Should set tentative dates in August)

January 20^th

February 4^th (Wed.)

February 17^th

March 3^rd

March 17^th

April 7^th

April 21^st

May 5^th

May 19^th

June 2^nd

June 16^th

C. Religious Exemption Case Numbers RE-07-13 and RE-07-14

D. Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Transfer of Funds Resolution requesting City Council approve the transfer from various completed CIP projects into CIP 1-018 Newtown Elementary School Replacement as follows:

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

WHEREAS, a contract was awarded in June, 2006 for the Replacement of Newtown Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, the project is currently approximately ninety-five percent complete; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the unforeseen utility conflicts associated with the construction of Learning Circle, the cost of the site work cost for this facility exceeds original estimates; and

WHEREAS, staff has been more diligent in closing out completed projects; and

WHEREAS, unencumbered funds are available in several completed capital projects;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD OF THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA:

1. That the School Board requests that City Council approve transfers as follows:

From

Amount

CIP 1-017

Landstown High School Addition

$154,926.88

CIP 1-018